THE CHRONICLE
Spring 2014
The Official Publication of the Mighty Fourth District
73rd Annual Fourth District
Meeting and Conference
Cleveland, Ohio
On May 1, 2014, Brothers of the Mighty Fourth District will descend upon Cleveland,
Ohio. The purpose is the 73rd Annual Fourth District Meeting and Conference. The
Host Chapter Brothers of Zeta Omega Chapter promise an excellent experience to all
who attend this historic event. The District Marshal and Former District Representative,
Brother Rufus T. Heard, has led the brothers of the chapter to attend to every detail,
assuring a grand time as the brothers unite to fraternize, celebrate, and to see that the
business of the district is done in decency and in order. Brother Christopher K. Welch,
the 26th Fourth District Representative will open the meeting on Friday. It is expected
that the new expedited process will streamline the reports and the brothers will be able
to spend more time fraternizing and enjoying the hospitality that the brothers of Zeta
Omega have arranged.
All officer and committee reports are online in the Brothers Only section of the Fourth
District Website (omega4thdistrict.org) . Brothers are encouraged to review all of the
reports prior to attending the conference. Brothers are also asked to support the
Cooper Campaign by visiting the site (cooper4grandbasileus.com) and demonstrating
your support in electing Brother Christopher Cooper as the first Grand Basileus to be
elected from the Fourth District.
Cleveland, Ohio (Zeta Omega Chapter)
In This Issue

Letter from the
DR

A special Thank
you from Jesse
Junius

The Beginning
of the Fourth
District

79th Grand
Conclave in
Philadelphia, PA

Candidates for
Grand Offices
meet at OSU
Founders: Frank Coleman, Oscar J. Cooper, Ernest E. Just, Edgar A. Love
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Greetings to the Brothers and Friends of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity:
It is my distinct honor and pleasure to extend warm greetings to all for attending our Annual District Meeting. The Brothers and Quettes
of Zeta Omega Chapter have worked diligently to plan and prepare the 73 rd Fourth District Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. They have arranged a host of activities and social events for our enjoyment. I commend the hard work of our District Marshal, Bro. Rufus Heard, and
his committee; thank you for your time and effort.
I would like to offer a special note of thanks to Dr. Andrew Ray, Our Grand Basileus, for his leadership, vision, and guidance. To our
Grand Officers, Supreme Council, and visiting Brothers, I extend a warm welcome to each you for taking time to attend the 4 th District
Annual Meeting.
This year’s theme is “For Community, For Family, For Omega: Inspiring a New Generation through Visionary Leadership”. We must
never underestimate the difference we can make in the lives of others. As Omega men, I challenge you to reinvest in our families, our
homes, and our communities through education, motivation, and participation.
I would also like to give honor to Dr. Ernest E. Just, Professor Frank Coleman, Dr. Oscar J. Cooper, and Bishop Edgar A. Love who
created our beloved Brotherhood. In the spirit of our Founders, we must rededicate ourselves to the mission of our beloved fraternity and
move forward in unity with our Cardinal Principles as our guide.
Please allow me to offer recognition and a great appreciation to the past Fourth District Representatives for their leadership, dedication,
and service to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine
the significance of the life we lead.” - Nelson Mandela
Let’s press toward the mark of excellence. I am looking forward to our time together this weekend. May our time bring us closer to tunifying the vision of our Founders.
Fraternally,
Christopher. K, Welch
Brother Christopher K. Welch
26th Fourth District Representative
A Special Thank You to My Brothers
By Brother Jesse J. Junius, Jr.
On Thursday April 17th, my mother, Stella Mae Junius was laid to rest in Cleveland Ohio. This was one
of the most difficult times of my life. I know many brothers have lost family members and, specifically their
mothers, and know how much of a feeling of loss this is. During this trying time in my life, my brothers of
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity made it much easier for me to cope with the loss of my mother. We received
many acknowledgements of sympathy and condolences from brothers all over the Fourth District and
from my son’s chapter, Beta Omega from the 8th District.
The brothers of Zeta Omega Chapter went above and beyond what I would have ever asked anyone to do
for me. From my initial contact with Brother Michael Fordham about my mother’s funeral arrangements,
he told me that the brothers of Zeta Omega Chapter would be there to support me throughout this time.
When he was informed of the date of the funeral, he told me the repast would be taken care of and for me
not to worry about the details. With the assistance from Brothers Lamar Cole, Melran Leach, Michael
Fordham, Mel McCray, and Claude Booker, the repast was totally handled with no effort from me or my
family. My family was thoroughly impressed with the men of Omega Psi Phi and appreciative of the way
they took care of us during this time.
I want to express my appreciation to all the Zeta Omega Chapter brothers who attended my mother’s
home going. This act of support was very uplifting to me and my family. I also want to express my sincere
appreciation to Delta Alpha Chapter brothers and all the brothers throughout the Fourth District and their
chapters for thinking about my family during this time. You all have made me a humble and proud
member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Stella Mae Junius
XI Iota Iota Blood Drive
From Piqua, Ohio Submitted by Willie Terrell
On April 3, 2014 members of Xi Iota Iota Chapter supported the "Take Me
Out To The Blood Drive" Lifesaver League Blood Drive held at the Knights
of St. John Great Hall 110 South Wayne Street Piqua, Ohio.
From left to right, Brother Wendell Boyce, Brother Willie Terrell and Brother
Dr. Percy Frasier display blood drive participation T-shirts in front of the
Knights of St. John Great Hall.
Xi Iota Iota Celebrates Achievement Week
From Piqua, Ohio submitted by Paul C. Lucas
From left to right - Mardie Milligan, Vice Mayor City of Sidney, Brother Jessie Pope; Dr. Floyd Thomas Jr., Ph.D.
Curator Emeritus at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio and Banquet
Keynote Speaker; Brother Jarrett A. Thomas; Brother Wendell Boyce.
From left to right - Brother Paul C. Lucas, Brother Daryl S. Cameron 4th District First Vice District Representative,
Brother Christopher K. Welch 26th 4th District Representative, Brother Jarrett A. Thomas 13th 4th District Representative and Clayton S. Brown Sr.
Xi Iota Iota Honors Young Students
From Piqua, Ohio submitted by Paul C. Lucas
At their 22nd Annual Achievement Week Celebration Banquet the Brothers of Xi Iota Iota
honored four high school students from the cities of Sidney, Troy, Piqua and Lima. Each
student below was awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship and a plaque acknowledging their
academic accomplishments.
XI Iota Iota Talent Hunt
From Troy, Ohio
Submitted by Committee Chairman Stacy Worley I
Saturday, March 29, 2014, The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Xi Iota Iota Chapter, sponsored its
Annual Talent Hunt Contest which encourages aspiring youth to demonstrate their various talents while
competing for monetary awards. This event was be held on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 4:30 PM at the Lincoln
Center, 110 Ash St. Troy, Ohio 45373. Cash prizes were awarded to the first three winners as follows; First Place$300.00; First Runner Up-$150.00 and Second Runner Up-$100.00. The First Place winner will represent Xi Iota
Iota Chapter and participate in our District level competition on Friday, May 2, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Picture on the left) From left to right - Brother John Taylor, Shelby Worley, Jordyn Robinson (contest winner), Rashen Williams and brother Stacy Worley I event Chairman.
Contestants front left to right - Jordyn Robinson saxophone soloist, Troy High School currently in the 9th grade (contest winner); Rashen Williams vocal soloist, senior at Stivers School for the Arts and Shelby Worley flute soloist a senior at Stivers
School for the Arts. Brothers of Xi Iota Iota 2nd row from left to right - John Taylor, Wendell Boyce, Willie Terrell and Stacy Worley. Back row from left to right Paul Lucas, Ronald Humphrey, Shane Carter and Gary Wilson.
Omega Psi Phi/Xi Iota Iota
National High School Essay Contest
Xi Iota Iota High School Essay
Contest Winner Gregory Johnson
From Piqua, Ohio Submitted by Shane Carter
January 1st 2014- The Xi Iota Iota Chapter once again
enjoyed a very successful Achievement Week that was
capped off with great participation from area high school
students in the National High School Essay Contest. There
were some outstanding essays submitted and reviewed by
the chapter and the unanimous winner was Troy High
School Senior Gregory Johnson whom also was a 2013 Achievement Week Scholarship Recipient. Gregory is an active mentor for youth in the City of Troy, an honor roll student and a stand out baseball player. He plans to attend a four year university
where he will major in Education. Gregory’s essay referenced Colonel Charles Young and had a strong focus on “The Critical
Skills Needed to be Successful in College and Beyond.”
Zeta Omega Chapter to Kick out illiteracy
Ben Holbert, Zeta Omega Chapter Editor
It's a sobering statistic. Almost two-thirds of Cleveland residents are functionally illiterate. At this level,
people may struggle to read a bus schedule, medicine bottle, or even a job application. Functional illiteracy is
defined as a person reading on a 4th to 6th grade level.
According to the 2000 US Census, 15% of African-Americans living in poverty read below the 8th grade
level. Moreover national data suggest every 26 seconds a student drops out of school -- totaling more than 1.3
million dropouts annually.
For those reasons, Zeta Omega Chapter will host the inaugural “Kicking Illiteracy CO-ED Kickball
Tournament” on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Denison Park in Cleveland Heights. The CO-ED Kickball Tournament is part of the Zeta Omega Holiday Weekend – that coincides with the Fourth of July.
According to Brother Melran Leach, holiday weekend chairman, the committee felt the need to do more than
provide social events. “We wanted to sponsor a service program that gives back to the community while
serving a great cause,” explained Leach.
Brother Gary Carrington serves as Counseling Faculty and Full Professor at Cuyahoga Community
College and serves as co-chairman of the CO-ED Kicking Illiteracy program. Brother Carrington’s co-chair is
Brother Woody Allen, Zeta Omega Keeper of Records and Seal.
The tournament will raise funds to battle illiteracy in the City of Cleveland. For additional information or to
register a kickball team contact Brother Carrington at (216) 987-4664 or Gary.carrington@tri-c.edu.
Sources: Center for Urban Poverty and Social Change, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University; National Assessment of Adult Literacy, Ohio Literacy Resource Center
Mu Chi Chapter Talent Hunt 2014
Submitted by Brother Brandon C. Smith, Mu Chi Chapter (Wilberforce, Ohio)
On March 21, 2014, at the Kiser Pre K – 8th Grade School in Dayton, Ohio, the brothers of Mu Chi Chapter of the
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., hosted their annual Talent Hunt Demonstration. The judges for the contest were;
Mr. Eddie Brookshire, an Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Dayton, Mrs. Brenda Brookshire, Vocal
and Instrumental Music Teacher at Kiser Pre K through 8 school, and Brother Albert Jordan, former 4 th District
Representative, and member of Delta Alpha Chapter.
Brother James Fowler served as Master of Ceremonies for the contest. The contestants were Tierra Hummons,
a senior at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton, Ohio, who performed a speech she wrote etitled “Who Are You
To Bully Me?”; Hayden C. Jackson, a senior at Shawnee High School in Springfield, Ohio, who performed a
piano solo titled, “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither (1974); and Arabia Richardson, a senior at Stivers School
for the Arts in Dayton, Ohio, who performed an interpretive movement and dance routine.
The first place contestant was Hayden C. Jackson. The 2014 contest marks the third consecutive year that Mr.
Jackson has won the competition. Hayden has also represented the 4th District at two National Conclaves. The
first runner up was Tierra Hummons, and the Second Runner Up was Arabia Richardson. Each of the winners
received a scholarship award as well as Certificate of Participation.
The 2014 Talent Hunt Committee consisted of Brothers James Elam, James Fowler, Samuel Jackson, Anthony
Scruse, and Eric Smith.
A Sesquicentennial Celebration of Brother Colonel Charles Young
Submitted by Brother Brandon C. Smith, Mu Chi Chapter (Wilberforce, Ohio)
On March 12, 2014, at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio, the Brothers of
Mu Chi and Eta Gamma Chapters of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. attended the National Parks Service’s
Commemoration of Brother Colonel Charles Young’s 150th birthday.
The acting Superintendent of the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Robert Parker, provided opening
remarks. The invocation was given by Dr. Charles Brown of the Payne Theological Seminary. Greetings were given by
Dr. Charles Wash, Director of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center and Brother Harrison Nelson,
Basileus of Mu Chi Chapter. The keynote speaker for the evening was Brian Shellum, an Author, Historian and Colonel
Young Biographer. Mr. Shellum was introduced by Dr. Floyd Thomas, Curator Emeritus of the National Afro-American
Museum and Cultural Center. After Mr. Shellum finished speaking, Brother James Elam provided some reflections and
closing remarks and acknowledgements were provided by Dean Alexander, Superintendent of the Dayton Aviation
Heritage National Historical Park and Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Mr. Parker.
Afterward, there was the presentation of a sesquicentennial cake and cutting ceremony involving the use of a saber.
The benediction was given by Dr. Brown which was followed by a social hour. During the social hour, guests were
permitted to observe various artifacts from Colonel Young’s military career and life; including various medals, the saber
he carried, and numerous pictures. The event served as a reminder of how important of a figure Brother Young was to
the world during his life and how he is still very important and honored while resting in the Omega Chapter.
Brother Dr. Loren Alves Delivers Charter Day Address at
Central State University
(Wilberforce, Ohio)
Written By Brother Dr. Fred Aikens, Photos by Nancy Jehn
Central State University celebrated its 127th birthday on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. The celebration also
commemorated Central State University’s new status as an 1890 Land Grant Institution. The keynote speaker
at this auspicious occasion was Brother Dr. Loren Alves of Psi Alpha Chapter in San Antonio, Texas. Brother
Alves, a 1975 graduate of Central State University, told the audience how he matriculated and followed his
dreams. He mentioned how scholarship, perseverance, and dedication to his craft led him to be the first board
certified pediatric dentist in the San Antonia area.
It was also during this occasion that Brother Alves told students to hold on to their dreams, even if they have to
change them a little because of their circumstances. He shared stories of his youth and struggles to become the
man he is today. He recalled memories of his experiences as a student on campus and how different members
of the faculty and staff encouraged him. Brother Alves not only listened to much of this advice and guidance,
he is sharing it with future generations of leaders.
Brother Alves is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; a member of the American Dental
Association, The National Dental Association, The Gulf State Dental Association, and the San Antonio
District Dental Society. He has earned the Legion of Merit Medal and has served a distinguished career in the
United States Army. He is also a Life Member of the Fraternity.
Pictured are Brother Dr. Alves at the podium and CSU President, Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond (seated).
Bro. Jamail E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Golf Outing Inaugural Golf Tournament
By Bro. Kevin Miles and Bro. Craig Stubbs
Psi Omicron Chapter
Youngstown, Ohio- On Saturday, August 10, 2013, 41 golfers participated in the inaugural Bro. Jamail E. Johnson Memorial
Scholarship Golf Outing, held at Pine Lakes Golf Course in Hubbard, Ohio. The event was sponsored by the Psi
Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This event was planned in order to establish a scholarship in honor of
Brother Jamail E. Johnson.
Proceeds from the golf outing will provide scholarships to qualified college bound students in the Mahoning Valley.
Students who are awarded this scholarship will be expected to meet a high standard of academic excellence. Bro. Dr.
David Davis and Bro. Dan Smith were the chair and co- chairman of this event.
The outing featured gift bags for all golfers, as well as various prizes and a 50/50 raffle. The event concluded with a sit
down dinner at the golf course. At the dinner, remarks were given by Mrs. Shirlene Hill (mother of Bro. Johnson) and Pro
Football Hall of Famer, Paul Warfield, who participated in this year’s event.
The brothers of Psi Omicron will continue with this event on an annual basis and expect the success of this event to
grow exponentially in the coming years.
Students Earn Bicycles for Grade Performance
By Bro. Kevin Miles and Bro. Craig Stubbs
Youngstown, Ohio- On December 14, 2013, at Williamson Elementary, the brothers
of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Psi Omicron Chapter demonstrated scholarship by
donating early Christmas presents to twelve (12) deserving students for their hard
work and good grades.
The brothers of Psi Omicron teamed up with Walmart to purchase the bikes and
helmets for the students. During the school’s Christmas program, the brothers of Psi
Omicron presented the bikes to the students. The bikes were a surprise for the students, (five fourth-graders, three fifth-graders and four sixth-graders). Only their parents knew ahead of time that they
would be going home with these early Christmas gifts.
When Principal Wanda Clark announced the names of the recipients, she choked up stating that, “ When I see my kids
get blessed by this, that’s what it’s all about”, in reference to Christmas.
The brothers of Psi Omicron Chapter eventually hope to make this an annual event and hope to expand the bike
giveaway to other local schools.
Brother Jerry Leftwich Leads The Way
In Mentoring
Cincinnati, Ohio (Beta Iota Chapter)
This article was previously published in the
Cincinnati Enquirer
Bro. Jerry Leftwich and his “Little Brother” get together once a week, every
week. Bro. Leftwich’s Little Brother is Andre’—the two are paired through
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, a mentoring agency that
matches adult volunteers with young people in the Tri-State who can benefit from a positive role model.
Bro. Leftwich also volunteers on the African American Recruitment Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters, because he is
committed to finding more African Americans, especially men, to join him in the effort to mentor children in the community.
January is National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati is proud to serve more than 1200 Tri
-State children. The agency matches at-risk children with adult volunteer mentors, with a goal of helping the young people
become successful in school and in life. Currently, over 400 children in the Cincinnati area are waiting to be matched with a
volunteer—a Big Brother or Big Sister. National Mentoring Month spotlights this and encourages adults to consider the
difference an hour a week can make in the life of a child. Volunteers can choose from site-based mentoring, meeting with their
Little Brother or Little Sister at a school or Boys & Girls Club, or community-based mentoring, meeting with their “Little”
outside of school hours.
The matches are long-term and professionally supported, with a long history of success. About 99 percent of children involved
in the program are in school, not pregnant or parenting, and not involved in the juvenile justice system.
Bro. Jerry Leftwich said he grew up doing community service with his family and, as an adult, found mentoring to be a good
fit. When Leftwich’s Little Brother Andre’ signed up for the Big Brothers program, he said he looked forward to having a
friend visit him once a week, just to hang out and play a little basketball or football. Andre’ said he believed his own friends
liked him because he was nice, kind, and talented. His Big Brother Jerry saw those traits in him as well.
In Bro. Leftwich’s efforts to recruit more African American volunteers, he explains that there’s a national connection with the
partnership of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, but also a personal connection. He says, “My struggle has been to attract other
Afro-American males into mentoring. Most professionals that I approach, comment that they are already committed through
family and work obligations and don't really have the additional time.” Leftwich’s typical reply is, “To get people to examine
all of the things we do in the course of a week, the television, cell calls, and texting. There’s time in there. One hour a week
can make a significant impact in a child’s life.”
Donna Herrmann-Vogel is the director of programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters. She said she appreciates Leftwich and the
other African American Big Brothers who have expanded their roles beyond volunteering as Bigs, to encouraging others to do
the same. “I feel it’s important to have an African American Advisory Board since we have such a high percentage of African
American boys on our waiting list,” Herrmann-Vogel said. “Cross-race matches are great, but I know there are many African
American men out there who would make great role models and mentors. Who better to help us recruit those men other than
the ones who are already walking the walk?” Bro. Jerry Leftwich hopes other men and women will get that message, and
they’ll keep hearing it from him. He promises, “I will keep asking as long as we need mentors.”
Xi Chi Reads to Local Schoolchildren
February 13, 2014 – Akron, Ohio
Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. volunteered to read to children at Imagine Leadership Academy in recognition of Love to Read Day.
Love to Read Day is celebrated near Valentine’s Day where students share their love for
reading with their families and community. Norita Curley, a fourth grade teacher at Imagine,
coordinated the event as a way to invite the community into the school to enhance student
literacy.
According to school administrator Yolanda Brown, Brothers of the Xi Chi Chapter were
invited to participate because of their commitment to community involvement, and to give students the opportunity to interact with professional black men. Brown said, “the students absolutely loved it because they got to see men who looked like them, and the staff enjoyed it because of the support from the Fraternity that could possibly build a partnership of educating
the students.”
Overall, the Love to Read Day was a great success, and the school looks to do more with the
Fraternity in the future.
Candidates Attend Forum at The Ohio State University
(Written by Brother Dr. Fred Aikens)
On Saturday, March 8, 2014, the brothers of the Mighty Fourth District hosted an Omega Candidates’ Forum at The
Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Eleven candidates, who are currently seeking international offices in the fraternity, were present to share their platforms and their visions for Omega, answer questions, and to fraternize with the
brothers from Ohio and West Virginia. The brothers enjoyed the hospitality that was extended by Mu Iota Chapter in Columbus. Brother Jhade Barnes, Basileus, and Brother Jeffery Tarver assisted First-Vice DR, Bro. Daryl Cameron, as
they handled the very important details of the event. These brothers did an outstanding job organizing the forum that
was attended by nearly sixty brothers from the district. The forum was moderated by the former Fourth District Representative, Brother Albert Jordan, who kept the candidates on point and assured that the event was conducted with decency and according to protocol. The Fourth District Representative, Brother Christopher K. Welch was on hand to welcome the candidates to the district and to thank them for their participation.
The theme of the forum seemed to be on changing Omega and becoming more involved in the communities in which the
brothers live. There was a call to improve the business relationships of the fraternity, become more involved in the education of our youth, enhance mentoring programs, and become more engaged in health care initiatives that affect our
people. The myriad issues that were brought forth during this forum reminded the brothers that Omega’s work is not
done, and there is more that we can do to ensure Omega’s place in the lives of those that it represents. These candidates seemed keenly aware that change needs to happen. The choice will not be easy, but it seems as though all of the
candidates are prepared to address the challenges that Omega faces.
Several of the candidates commented on the forum after the event. The candidates enjoyed the well-organized program.
They went on to mention that they enjoyed the time spent in the Fourth District and were pleased at the length of time
they were given to address the brotherhood and answer questions. The sentiment was that the Candidate Forum was
inviting and all the brothers exhibited a friendly demeanor. Several candidates thanked the district for hosting the event
and thanked the other participants for attending. The forum was a success and, a good time was had by everyone.
The candidates who participated in the forum are as follows:
For Grand Basileus: Christopher M. Cooper, Tony Knox, and Earl Wilson
For First-Vice Grand Basileus: Mike Adams, David Marion, and Earnest Robinson
For Keep of Records and Seal: Curtis Baylor, Ed Morant, and Kenneth Rodgers
For Keeper of Finance: Kelly Shannon and Arnold Simmons
West Virginia and Ohio: “The Beginnings of the Mighty Fourth District”
Submitted by Brother Bennett Gaines
Yale Law School Class of 1921:
J. Alston Atkins, (far left)
Sources: Yale University Library, Dreer
History Book, Sept. 1922 Oracle
In September 1915, J. Altson Atkins matriculated to Fisk University in
Nashville, Tennessee. As a freshman he won the first prize in oratory,
and later earned similar success at graduation. While at Fisk, Atkins
competed on the debate team. He graduated magna cum laude from
Fisk in 1919. He was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity through
the Camp Howard chapter in 1918. Bro. Atkins was instrumental in the
founding of Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1919, which had its origins at Fisk but amidst university dissent
was forced to relocate to Meharry Medical College just down the street. Bro. Atkins went on to law school at Yale University
after graduating from Fisk. He was a charter member of Chi Chapter at Yale University in 1920, along with several other Yale
Law students and members of the New Haven community, and served as the Chapter's first Basileus. At the 10th Grand Conclave in Atlanta, Bro. Atkins was elected Grand Basileus in December 1921. He maintained these duties while a student in law
school.
Under his tenure as Grand Basileus, Atkins reorganized the Fraternity in a number of significant ways. First, he created the
office of Vice-Grand Basileus, whose responsibility it was to oversee the expansion of Omega. Next, he amended the role of
the Grand Keeper of Records (national Secretary) to Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, which turned the focus of the office
from mere record keeper to active record shaper, and added the position of Grand Keeper of Finance.
Bro. Atkins also established five geographic regions, or districts, to better attend to the needs of various colleges and communities within Omega. By this time (1922) spanned New England down to the Southeastern States, the Midwest out to the far
West. First he made the distinction between the undergraduate and the graduate chapters by a change in their names. The
first group of undergraduate chapters was to be designated by a single Greek letter: such as Alpha, Beta, Gama or Delta. The
next group of undergraduate chapters was to carry as a second name Psi. The graduate chapters were to carry as a second
name, Omega. Accordingly, these would be known as Alpha Omega, Beta Omega, Gamma Omega, and so on. Chronological
order was not considered; for, as has been indicated, not Alpha Omega, but Lambda (now Lambda Omega) of Norfolk was the
first Graduate Chapter to be established by the Fraternity.
During the first year of Bro. Atkins administration, 1922 the name Kappa, which was the designation of the chapter at West
Virginia Institute, became the name of a chapter organized at Syracuse University. The chapter at West Virginia was then given a new chapter as Theta Psi.
The second major reform came at the close of the first year of his administration, in 1922 when he recommended that five men
be appointed to look after the Brothers geographically according to districts. They were to function under the supervision of the
Vice-Grand Basileus, the officer just created in December of that year. These districts representatives were to concentrate upon the expansion of Omega during 1923. The first appointee and their jurisdictions follow: Charles W. White was assigned the
New England States; Carter L. Marshall, the Middle Atlantic States; L. R. Hill the Central States; William Faulkner, the Southern States and George Vaughn the Western States. The establishment of nineteen chapters rewarded the effort at expansion.
Over the next several months find out where Ohio and West Virginia were initially positioned in 1922 and how the Mighty 4th
District emerged into what it is today.
Omega Chapter
Brother Reverend Napoleon Bryant Jr.
Beta Iota Chapter March 4, 2014
Brother Dr. Morgan R. Dean
Beta Iota Chapter - March 14, 2014
Brother David Lester Paige
Mu Iota Chapter - February 19, 2014
Brother Thomas Taylor
Delta Alpha Chapter - January 1, 2014